Evaluating Zipato - Is it reliable?
I have used numerous home automation devices/protocols over the past 7+ years (Zigbee, ZWave and WiFi) so I have general knowledge of the tech and have dealt with the usual frustrations with mesh networks and abandoned/orphaned devices. While Zipato seems to have a unique platform with many features I would like, I am concerned with the reliability of their backend servers, since the system would be crippled / non-functional without that connectivity.
In reviewing this forum, it appears there are ongoing reliability issues and a post indicating there is no way to backup and restore your configuration data. If this is an accurate assessment, I am concerned that this system may not be reliable enough to depend upon. I would appreciate feedback from anyone that has used it for at least 6+ months and your opinion on the reliability and general quality of the system and its devices.
Also, any comments on integrating non-Zipato based ZWave/Zigbee modules would be appreciated - do most seem to work?
The same question
Hello,
I have my box for 10 month. zigbee and 433Mhz module. More than 60 devices. Today home automation is nothing for out of the box. But I am happy with the box. If the box has no contact to the servers, everything works stand alone, as long you do not need internet or http like that. Also if this happens, you cannot control it via your smartphone (same like hue or hubble from motorola). Remote controls and or wall switches do work. Yes the system is under progress. So you will find monthly new features. Sometimes with errors, but after a day or so this problems are solved. I do control all my thermostats and more and more lights. I.e. Osram lightify. Like any technologie there are failures. But I can life with that. And when needed you can ask the support team. If it is really really urgent ( I had this twice), you get help within hours.
Hello,
I have my box for 10 month. zigbee and 433Mhz module. More than 60 devices. Today home automation is nothing for out of the box. But I am happy with the box. If the box has no contact to the servers, everything works stand alone, as long you do not need internet or http like that. Also if this happens, you cannot control it via your smartphone (same like hue or hubble from motorola). Remote controls and or wall switches do work. Yes the system is under progress. So you will find monthly new features. Sometimes with errors, but after a day or so this problems are solved. I do control all my thermostats and more and more lights. I.e. Osram lightify. Like any technologie there are failures. But I can life with that. And when needed you can ask the support team. If it is really really urgent ( I had this twice), you get help within hours.
Thank you for the reply and I'm glad you are happy with the product. If the Zipato server is offline (but you have internet connectivity) - do you still receive alarm notifications via SMS? I was under the impression that all outbound connectivity went through their systems?
Thank you for the reply and I'm glad you are happy with the product. If the Zipato server is offline (but you have internet connectivity) - do you still receive alarm notifications via SMS? I was under the impression that all outbound connectivity went through their systems?
Hi Tim, after 8 months with Zipato I'm unhappy with it.
Too much time spent dealing with bug, regression and support and things that stop to work in an impredictable way (i.e. scheduler as seen in theese days and in the past, rules not reliable, devices that lose functionality, ...)
Hi Tim, after 8 months with Zipato I'm unhappy with it.
Too much time spent dealing with bug, regression and support and things that stop to work in an impredictable way (i.e. scheduler as seen in theese days and in the past, rules not reliable, devices that lose functionality, ...)
Thank you Carlo for your input. Getting these controllers to work reliably can be a frustrating experience. While I have tried several over the years, I've yet to find one that 'just works'. Perhaps Google or Apple will have more success in this regard.
In reference to my question about sending SMS notifications when their service is down, it appears this is possible using Pushingbox and a device OS compatible SMS service. If someone can confirm that, I would appreciate it.
Thank you Carlo for your input. Getting these controllers to work reliably can be a frustrating experience. While I have tried several over the years, I've yet to find one that 'just works'. Perhaps Google or Apple will have more success in this regard.
In reference to my question about sending SMS notifications when their service is down, it appears this is possible using Pushingbox and a device OS compatible SMS service. If someone can confirm that, I would appreciate it.
The experience of today shows that the server and the scheduler may be a problem sometimes.
I do not think that the scheduler works without the Zipato server.
If the box has no contact to the server, the scheduler and most of my rules will not work.
Therefore the reliability of the server is crucial.
Wait and see.
The experience of today shows that the server and the scheduler may be a problem sometimes.
I do not think that the scheduler works without the Zipato server.
If the box has no contact to the server, the scheduler and most of my rules will not work.
Therefore the reliability of the server is crucial.
Wait and see.
Hello,
I used the zipabox since 10 months.
Most of the time, the Zipabox works well ... but sometimes, it has some unpredictible behaviors ... (your rules are working well during weeks, and one day something strange occurs... and all works fine usually after reboot)
The Zipabox link with the server is for me crutial, if the link is broken, most of the time your rules will not work (even if Zipato team says the opposite)
So for me, the Zipabox is not reliable, but the team works on it.
For the moment, I don't let the Zipabox managing all in my house (ie I have a 2 alarms at home :-)
Hello,
I used the zipabox since 10 months.
Most of the time, the Zipabox works well ... but sometimes, it has some unpredictible behaviors ... (your rules are working well during weeks, and one day something strange occurs... and all works fine usually after reboot)
The Zipabox link with the server is for me crutial, if the link is broken, most of the time your rules will not work (even if Zipato team says the opposite)
So for me, the Zipabox is not reliable, but the team works on it.
For the moment, I don't let the Zipabox managing all in my house (ie I have a 2 alarms at home :-)
I have had a Zipabox for about 18months now. Perfect? No, but I find it better than Vera and cheaper than Fibaro. These are the only available controllers in Australia. The team are always working to improve it. It also has a lot of options you can not get straight out of the box from other controllers. I find the puzzle system easier to deal with as I am not a programmer and scripting if beyond me. I love using enocean sensors with Z-wave devices and zigbee lightify globes. Yes sometimes devices and sensors do not work correctly, but who is to say this is the zipabox fault or a relay fault or a device problem. If you want faultless, get a hardwired solution and spend thousands of dollars. These controllers are a cheap alternative to expensive hardwired solutions and therefore not perfect, and people have to remember that.
In offline mode I find the Zipabox falls short of others. It constantly resets itself, and connecting locally only works for that login, exit the app and you have to log in again manually. For most things I revert to a wall based tablet with 3g sim card. Using Tasker for Android, I can send messages if home internet connection is lost and 3g is initiated. There are a lot of things I can do this way.
Apples Homekit will work well, but I think will lack the complexity you will need for a lot of functions. While Thread will rely mainly on IFTT. Smart Things with its open community will be interesting, like Vera but more capable and supported, but still has the issue of no backup and requires internet connection. But for me the Zipabox has proved to be a pretty robust little unit, with lots of options for configuration and connected protocols.
I have had a Zipabox for about 18months now. Perfect? No, but I find it better than Vera and cheaper than Fibaro. These are the only available controllers in Australia. The team are always working to improve it. It also has a lot of options you can not get straight out of the box from other controllers. I find the puzzle system easier to deal with as I am not a programmer and scripting if beyond me. I love using enocean sensors with Z-wave devices and zigbee lightify globes. Yes sometimes devices and sensors do not work correctly, but who is to say this is the zipabox fault or a relay fault or a device problem. If you want faultless, get a hardwired solution and spend thousands of dollars. These controllers are a cheap alternative to expensive hardwired solutions and therefore not perfect, and people have to remember that.
In offline mode I find the Zipabox falls short of others. It constantly resets itself, and connecting locally only works for that login, exit the app and you have to log in again manually. For most things I revert to a wall based tablet with 3g sim card. Using Tasker for Android, I can send messages if home internet connection is lost and 3g is initiated. There are a lot of things I can do this way.
Apples Homekit will work well, but I think will lack the complexity you will need for a lot of functions. While Thread will rely mainly on IFTT. Smart Things with its open community will be interesting, like Vera but more capable and supported, but still has the issue of no backup and requires internet connection. But for me the Zipabox has proved to be a pretty robust little unit, with lots of options for configuration and connected protocols.
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